Low Risk, Reversible, Weight Loss Procedure

Abstract

A surgical weight loss procedure to reduce stomach volume is provided. The procedure involves gathering together a quantity of stomach tissue and securing this tissue together in a gathered position, which can reduce the volume of the stomach. This reduced stomach volume allows a patient to feel satiated with a much smaller amount of food, leading to weight loss.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of reducing stomach volume comprising the steps of:
 gathering together, from an inside of the stomach, a quantity of stomach tissue of a stomach of a patient wherein the stomach tissue is gathered into a ball or egg shape; and   securing, on the inside of the stomach, the gathered quantity of stomach tissue in the ball or egg shape so as to reduce a volume of the stomach of the patient;   wherein the step of securing the stomach tissue in the gathered position allows blood flow to the gathered quantity of stomach tissue;   the gathering and securing step performed without a cutting of any tissue of the patient.   
     
     
         2 . The method of reducing stomach volume of  claim 1  wherein the gathering step and securing step are done endoscopically using an endoscope. 
     
     
         3 . The method of reducing stomach volume of  claim 2  wherein the endoscope comprising two separately operable tools, the first of the two separately operable tools being a pincer tool. 
     
     
         4 . The method of reducing stomach volume of  claim 3  wherein the second of the two separately operable tools is a vacuum tool. 
     
     
         5 . The method of reducing stomach volume of  claim 3  wherein the endoscope further comprises a third separately operable tool. 
     
     
         6 . The method of reducing stomach volume of  claim 3  wherein the pincer tool holds open a ring or band, and wherein the securing step comprises passing the ring or band over the gathered tissue. 
     
     
         7 . The method of reducing stomach volume of  claim 1  wherein the stomach is kept fully intact. 
     
     
         8 . A method of reducing stomach volume comprising the steps of:
 gathering together, from an inside of the stomach, a quantity of stomach tissue of a stomach of a patient; and   securing, on the inside of the stomach, the gathered quantity of stomach tissue in a gathered position so as to reduce a volume of the stomach of the patient; wherein the step of securing the stomach tissue in the gathered position allows blood flow to the gathered quantity of stomach tissue;   the gathering and securing step performed without a cutting of any tissue of the patient; and   wherein the securing step is performed by wrapping a band about a part of the gathered stomach tissue.   
     
     
         9 . The method of reducing stomach volume of  claim 8  wherein the stomach tissue is gathered into a ball or egg shape. 
     
     
         10 . The method of reducing stomach volume of  claim 8  wherein the band further comprises a marker. 
     
     
         11 . The method of reducing stomach volume of  claim 8  wherein the gathering step and securing step are done endoscopically using an endoscope. 
     
     
         12 . The method of reducing stomach volume of  claim 11  wherein the endoscope comprising two separately operable tools, the first of the two separately operable tools being a pincer tool. 
     
     
         13 . The method of reducing stomach volume of  claim 12  wherein the second of the two separately operable tools is a vacuum tool. 
     
     
         14 . The method of reducing stomach volume of  claim 12  wherein the endoscope further comprises a third separately operable tool. 
     
     
         15 . The method of reducing stomach volume of  claim 12  wherein the pincer tool holds open the band, and wherein the securing step comprises passing the band over the gathered tissue. 
     
     
         16 . An endoscopic tool for reducing stomach volume comprising:
 an elongate endoscope body;   a controller;   at least two separately operable tools at a distal end of the endoscope operable by the controller, the at least two separately operable tools comprising a pincer and a vacuum tool;   a vacuum source connected to the vacuum tool and operable to draw a low pressure through the vacuum tool;   one of a net, mesh wrap, ring, band, or balloon held in an open position by the pincer tool; and   wherein the vacuum tool is adapted to draw a quantity of stomach tissue into a ball or egg shape and wherein the pincer tool is adapted to secure the gathered stomach tissue by wrapping the one of the net, mesh wrap, band, or balloon about the quantity of gathered stomach tissue.   
     
     
         17 . The endoscope tool of  claim 16  wherein the endoscope further comprises a third separately operable tool. 
     
     
         18 . The endoscope tool of  claim 16  wherein the one of a net, mesh wrap, ring, band, or balloon is a band. 
     
     
         19 . The endoscope tool of  claim 16  wherein the one of a net, mesh wrap, ring, band, or balloon is sized and configured to hold a gathered stomach tissue in a ball or egg shape while still allowing blood flow to the gathered stomach tissue. 
     
     
         20 . The endoscope tool of  claim 16  wherein the controller is a motorized controller.